UN Security Council Approves Deployment in Chad, CAR

The United Nation's Security Council Monday endorsed a proposal to deploy a multi-dimensional security force to volatile eastern Chad and northeastern Central African Republic. The move gives the European Union and the U.N. a preliminary approval for the deployment of troops and police. From VOA's United Nation's bureau, Suzanne Presto reports.

The Security Council's Congolese President, Pascal Gayama, says the U.N. is concerned about insecurity in Chad and Central African Republic, near their borders with Sudan's southwestern Darfur region. Gayama said violence in the border areas threatens civilian lives and humanitarian operations.

France's Deputy Representative to the U.N., Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said the international community recognizes the seriousness of the situation.

"The Security Council welcomes the proposal made by the Secretary General for the deployment of a multi-dimensional force, a multi-dimensional presence in Chad and the Central African Republic, a police and military presence," said Jean-Pierre Lacroix. "And the third important message is that the Security Council expresses its readiness to authorize the deployment of that presence."

Earlier this month, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon submitted a proposal for the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons in parts of Chad and Central African Republic. He suggested that a U.N. force handle police training and human rights in the region, while a European Union force handle military tasks.

The EU has said it would plan for such a peacekeeping mission.

Ambassador Lacroix says he hopes the Council will authorize that deployment very soon. He says the EU and the U.N. have been working very well together, and adds the U.N. has been working closely with authorities in Chad and Central African Republic.

The French ambassador says violence in Darfur has led to very serious humanitarian crises in northeastern Central African Republic and eastern Chad, where more than 400,000 refugees and internally displaced people need more security.

"That is why we need, parallel to the effort being made by the international community in Darfur, we need to make sure that we do what is needed to protect this population, both in Central African Republic and in Chad," he said.

Last month, the Council authorized a hybrid United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force for Sudan's Darfur region. It is to become the world's largest peacekeeping mission, with more than 25,000 military and police personnel.